Taylor Swift is heading to Scotland. Feel inspired by the first UK stop of the Eras tour in Edinburgh on 7 June with a Swifty-inspired break around Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. Plus, take a chance to experience Scotland's vibrant music scene. Who knows, visitors may find out they have their own Scottish ancestry just as Ms. Swift reportedly has.  

Leith, Newhaven and Portobello 

The locals know that Leithers - the name for those who live in the Leith area in the north of Edinburgh - are a cool gang.  The area was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out in 2023 and it isn't difficult to see why: cool bars and restaurants are aplenty, and there is the Water of Leith Walkway and the Royal Yacht Britannia close by.  Head to neighbouring Newhaven to see a very cool lighthouse, try some delicious fish & chips from the Fishmarket Newhaven, and then walk the promenade at Cramond beach.  Not forgetting another beach at Portobello - a popular spot for wild swimmers as well as dogs and their human friends - towards the east of Edinburgh, with its own swimming pool and beachside bars & cafés, independent shops and parks to explore. There are plenty of local buses from the city centre, with trams serving Leith and Newhaven. Where to stay: Check out the floating hotel Fingal, or Malmaison Leith.  

East Lothian tourist route 

For an option to head out of the city and get some country air, plenty of castles, beaches and some delicious food and drink, the East Lothian Tourist Trail is a great route.  From Musselburgh, the route includes Prestonpans, Aberlady, Gullane, North Berwick - home to the Scottish Seabird Centre - as well as Dunbar, birthplace of John Muir. For more information, go to: Driving Routes | East Lothian (visiteastlothian.org).  It is also possible to explore the route via public transport with East Coast Buses  Where to stay: Check out The Lodge at Craigielaw near Aberlady www.craigielawgolfclub.com/the-lodge or The Dolphin Inn Dunbar https://dolphindunbar.com/.  

Fife coastal path  

Across the water from Edinburgh (via one of three bridges, including the Queensferry Crossing) in the Kingdom of Fife, there is plenty more to explore and discover. This includes the Fife Coastal Path, which is Scotland's longest continuous coastal path stretching for 117 miles of spectacular coastline.  The route is split up into sections. Each path section lists the distance and approximate time to complete, along with information on what to see en route from Kincardine to Newburgh. Think pretty beaches, quaint fishing villages and breath-taking coastline.  For more information, go to: www.welcometofife.com/view-business/fife-coastal-path.  Where to stay: The path usually takes between one week and 10 days to walk. Check out www.welcometofife.com/fife-icons/fife-coastal-path for ideas on places to stay or consider an organised trip arranged by tour companies such as Macs Adventures.  

Heartbreak hotel 

Ms. Swift writes about love in her songs ... perhaps she should check out one of the following locations and find some inspiration from tales of love in Scotland: 

Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian 

Mary, Queen of Scots had an interesting life; one filled with tragedy and romance, more dramatic than any legend.  Explore the magnificent ruins of the birthplace of Mary at Linlithgow Palace and get an insight into her life.  The Palace was built and added to over two centuries by the Stewart kings, resulting in a superb Renaissance residence. (Price to visit: £8 adult; £4 child; concession £6. HES free).  www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/ Where to stay: Champany, restaurant with rooms near Linlithgow. 

Heartbreak Ridge, Ballater, Aberdeenshire 

OK, so it's only heartbreaking in name, but we'll take it: Heartbreak Ridge, Ballater, in the Cairngorms National Park is an expert mountain bike route. At 18 km it takes just over two hours to complete. With more ground above 1000m than any other area of the UK the Cairngorms is a spectacular place to ride a bike. The park's diverse terrain provides a thrilling and immersive experience both on and off the bike. Perfect for marking World Bicycle Day on 2 June 2024.  Keep a look out for Golden Eagles and the famous Cairngorm Mountain reindeer herd. Where to stay: Check in at the nearby Balmoral Arms.  

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway, Ayrshire & The Globe Inn, Dumfries  

Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns, has written a thing or two about love and heartbreak: 'We had ne'er been broken-hearted. Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest! Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest!' He wrote in Ae Fond Kiss in 1791. The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway offers a unique encounter with Burns, his legacy and his poetry and songs, which are known and loved the world over. The flagship museum starts a journey that weaves through the village, taking visitors from historical buildings to landmarks known to Burns. Also, check out The Globe Inn in Dumfries, which is said to have been one of Burns' favourite places to frequent.  The Inn is now offering new tours offering a glimpse of where the poet wrote, dined and slept. (Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – Price to visit: adult £12; child £7; concession £9.  Globe Inn tours price: Tickets from £5.00 - £10.00). Where to stay: Marine Troon hotel, Ayrshire; Knockinaam Lodge, Dumfries and Galloway. 

Glasgow, UNESCO City of Music  

Glasgow was named the UK's first UNESCO City of Music and only the third in the world in August 2008.  As the birthplace of artists as Simple Minds, Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian, as well as independent music venues and festivals, its position as a city of music is unique. Maybe Taylor Swift will be inspired to visit? Definitely worth checking out are:   

Maggie's Rock and Rodeo For anyone – like Taylor Swift – who loves a bit of country music, this should be the go-to music destination in Glasgow. With mural-filled rooms that live and breathe music, rockabilly residents, bull pit and Scottish food, Tay Tay would be in her element.  

King Tut's Wah Wah Hut; Since its inception in 1990, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut has been at the forefront of the Scottish live music scene and continues to be one of the most celebrated venues in the world. 

The Òran Mòr; Formerly Kelvinside Parish Church, Òran Mór, Gaelic for 'great melody of life' or 'big song', is a thriving arts & entertainment venue in the heart of Glasgow's West End. 

The Glad Café opened just over a decade ago with the aim to create an open, accessible, and supportive space, nurturing music and the arts in the heart of the Glasgow Southside community. A relaxed cafe by day, the Café becomes a bar and music venue by night, with food served from 10am-9pm. The cooperative shop Glad Rags Thrift supports their sister charity, The Glad Foundation, in running music lessons and workshops for young people regardless of background or ability. The Glad Cafe is not-for-profit, dog-friendly and 100% vegan.  

Celtic Connections Glasgow's annual folk, roots and world music festival celebrates its connections to cultures across the globe. During the event over 2,100 musicians from around the world bring the city to life. During that time, there are concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events.  Dates for the next event are 16 January – 2 February 2025.  

Where to stay: Check out the new The Social Hub in Glasgow. The location offers hotel rooms as well as a space to work in the city. Alternatively, check out the new Sandman Signature Hotel in city's west end.  Also, book a meal at the new Maison by Glaschu, which opened in April in Princes Square,a restaurant and champagne bar offering an affordable yet luxurious dining experience.  

Also, check out the Glasgow Music City Tours; Guided Walking Tours of Glasgow's Music Scene, which cover the mighty Barrowland to Britannia Panopticon (price: £19.50 pp).   

Music festivals in 2024 

Shetland Folk Festival, 2-5 May 2024 

The 42nd Shetland Folk Festival will be held this year and as the UK's most northerly folk festival it is regarded as a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike. Concerts are organised throughout the isles, consisting of some of the best International, British and Shetland music that is on offer. Find information on how to travel to Shetland and how to purchase tickets. Where to stay: Check out www.shetland.org/visit/plan/accommodation for more information.  

Orkney Folk Festival, 23-26 May 2024  

Orkney Folk Festival has announced its full programme for 2024, with acts from around the world set to perform across the islands between 23 and 26 May.  Leading artists from Canada, the USA, Australia, Ireland, Norway, England and throughout Scotland will join home-grown Orcadian musicians at the festival in its 41st year. Where to stay: Visit Orkney.com to find the perfect place.  

Eden Festival, 13-16 June 2024, Dumfries & Galloway  

Eden Festival is an independent, family friendly, four-day festival celebrating music, arts and culture. The 13th edition of the festival takes places this year at the stunning Raehill's Estate just outside of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway.  Showcasing both internationally acclaimed artists, as well as local up-and-coming performers, from Folk, Soul and Electronica to Jazz, Rockabilly, World and everything in between. With more than 250 acts over 10 stages, as well as plenty of cabaret, comedy, kids' activities and workshops. This year's festival's theme is Myths and Legends. Where to stay:  There is a campsite for the festival.  Go to https://edenfestival.co.uk/info/ for more details.  

Rewind, Scone Palace, 19-21 July 2024, Perthshire 

The Rewind festival celebrates all things 80's. The festivals have attracted iconic 80's names such as Holly Johnson, Human League, Gloria Gaynor, Kim Wilde, Village People, Bananarama, Billy Ocean and many more; the festival in Scotland attracts over 30,000 people.  For this year's line-up and details of how to book go to: https://scotland.rewindfestival.com/discover.  Where to stay: There is a campsite for the festival.  Go to https://scotland.rewindfestival.com/discover/camping for more details.